Thai Sarunchana leads as Ladies Golf gets underway

Abdul Mohi Shah

ISLAMABAD: Thai lady Miss Sarunchana Rattanasin was leading in both gross and net categories of the Third PGF Ladies Amateur Golf Championship that sprang into action at Islamabad Golf Course Friday.

The three-day golf event being played over 54 holes saw Thailand ladies making the best use of condition to return as first day leaders. Four-stroke handicapper Sarunchana carded 67 gross-a score which even top men golfers cherish to achieve. Sarunchana also was in front in the net category that saw her carding 63.

She was followed by her countrywomen Mrs Tantita Aungusee who got a gross score of par at the end of first round. Also a four-stroke handicap player Tantita had a 68 net after the opening round. Bangladeshi women Sonia Akhtar and Liza Akhtar carded a score of 76 and 80 gross respectively to finish the opening day on third and fourth position respectively. Both are seven stroke handicappers. While Sonia has 68 net, Liza has 73 net-the same score that local Miss Humera Khalid (DHA) achieved on the opening day. Humera however got 81 gross to trail at No 5 position.

A stroke behind in gross event is veteran Ghazala Yasmin, carding 82 gross and 77 net on the opening 18 holes.The three-rounds and 54 holes gold category event of 3rd Pakistan Golf Federation (PGF) Ladies Amateur Golf Championship is being held at the par-72 course.

Before the first tee off the Tournament Director Zeenat Ayesha and Dr Asma Shami were there to cheer up and compliment the lady champions from Bangladesh and Thailand and the champions of Pakistan who had come from Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Kamra.

Out of the 70 ladies competing, the highly-rated ones were the competitors from Bangladesh and Thailand and expectations were that the leading Pakistanis will adequately equate with them in terms of application of golfing skills and ability.

“I had a really satisfactory round of golf,” Sarunchana said. “I am excited about the fact that I am the leader at the end of the first round”.

Results: Liza Akhter (Bangladesh) 80, Humera Khalid (DHA Karachi) 81, Ghazala Yasmin (Garrison Lahore) 82 and Hamna Amjad (Kamra) at 83. Bracketed at a score of gross 85 are Tahira Nazir (Rawalpindi) and Rimsha Ijaz (Defence Raya, Lahore) followed by Tehmina Ali (Karachi Golf Club) 87, Parkha Ijaz (Defence Raya, Lahore) 88 and Ana James Gill (Royal Palm) 89.